Menu

Category Archives: Russian Nationals

As usual, Russian Nationals featured a slew of unbelievably talented young women vying for international placements in the new year. The seasons of 2015 world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and 2015 world bronze medalist Elena Radionova are probably over, with neither having ever made the Olympics, while first-year seniors like Alina Zagitova are making their case for gold. The pairs and men’s events, however, were a bit messy, and the dance event saw the mid-skate withdrawal of medal contenders Sinitsina/Katsalopov.

Thanks to these judges for sitting at The Judges’ Table for Russian nationals during the holiday!

Belle-Noelle D.(@madforskating) | TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I watched the 2014 Olympics not knowing an axel from a salchow but just got so obsessed with it that I needed to know everything about figure skating.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Weaver/Poje’s free dance at 2015 Worlds (and every other event).Events judged: World Team Trophy 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Caroline D.(@caroline4pres)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Ever since I saw Kristi Yamaguchi on Stars On Ice as a toddler, I’ve been obsessed with figure skating. I became completely invested in it when I decided to write about it for my senior thesis as a History major in college. I am ALL about stunts, drama, theatrics, artistry, etc. I always love the hot messes. What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Adam Rippon’s free skate at 2015 Nationals.Events judged: Skate Canada 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Irina G.(@annafly13) Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am a dedicated fan and photographer and love being part of figure skating events. I never travel without a camera and have thousands of pics from the events.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Yuna Kim at Sochi in 2014.Events judged: Skate America 2017, Russian Nationals 2017

Jennifer Cl.Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Clumsy adult skater who has followed the sport since 2002, obsessively since Yuzuru’s short in 2014 Olympics.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? I think every point above 105 awarded to a Lanotte/Cappellini FD is 0.75 directly subtracted from Gilles/Poirier.Events judged: Russian Nationals 2015-16, World Championships 2016, Russian Nationals 2017

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about the Russian Nationals, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree, sign up to judge an event later in the year and share your thoughts!

Happy New Year! As usual, the 2016-2017 Russian National Championships featured what feels like an unreasonably deep ladies field and a very competitive battle for the pairs and dance podiums. Junior Grand Prix Final champion Alina Zagitova surprised fans by beating successful senior skaters Maria Sotskova, Anna Pogorilaya, and Elena Radionova, among others, and by having the highest technical score in the free skate, besting even training mate Evgenia Medvedeva.

Thanks to the judges who watched and rejudged Russian Nationals over the holidays!

J.J. (@RealDetective) |TumblrTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. One time Meryl Davis told me happy birthday and another time a security guard told me he took a picture of me and Zach Donohue but he unknowingly never actually pressed the button and I didn’t want to ask Zach for another picture. It was all very sad. Except for the Meryl part. Which made being old worth it.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Davis/White 2014 US Nationals Free Dance and let me tell you why, you see one judge (specifically Mary Karen Henderson OF THEIR VERY OWN HOME STATE OF MICHIGAN) thought that they were worthy of only +2 GOE on two elements and had the gall, THE GALL, to give them a 9.75 in one (1) PCS category WHICH IS A FULL STEP LESS THAN WHAT IS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE. Sure, these scores are thrown out and Meryl Elizabeth Davis and Chuck White scored the maximum amount of points possible BUT THE PRINCIPLE. The principle. (Don’t @ me.)

Kara M. (@NamasteRead)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I took lessons from 13-15, but ended up quitting during Freestyle 1 due to lack of finances and talent (ha!), but I’ve been a fan of figure skating since Katarina Witt skated at the 88 Olympics. I used to practice jumps in my basement in my socks. Sasha Cohen forever!What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Honestly? Anything Mirai Nagasu does. Until this season anyway. I think the judges have been really unfair to her over the years. Also, Ashley Wagner’s short program at the Sochi Olympics. I’ll never forget her face in the K&C.

Matthew R. (@mrusskie93)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Never was a skater but have attended three Worlds (2009, 2013, and 2016), and three U.S. Nationals (2006, 2013, 2014).What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Mao Asada’s Sochi LP: indisputably the best free skate of the event. More recently, Satoko Miyahara’s LP at Skate Canada: lowish PCS and an invalid step sequence seemed like a convenient way to keep her behind Kaetlyn Osmond.

Nori (@NakedIceBlog) |The Naked Ice BlogTell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. Long time fan, runner of the Naked Ice Blog…and I can stroke around pretty well on ice skates…I can even skate backward (very slowly).What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? It used to be Christina Gao at the 2013 Nationals but I think I’m going with Mao Asada’s Sochi FS.

Ryan P. (@jetsfan_85)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I used to compete from ages 15-17 and casually skated for years later. Just got back into it this year (31y.o now). I watch every GP competition of the year as well as Canadian and American Nationals etc.What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Bourne/Kraatz River Dance 1998 Worlds…they should have won gold.

TJ C. (@Tsk8c)Tell us a little about your experiences with figure skating or as a fan. I am a current competitor in ice dancing (and a first-time national qualifier!). I’m a huge fan of the sport, but it’s not like I have a problem or anything (hehehe…).What’s your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje’s FD at the 2014 GP Final.

LET’S GET JUDGING. Click “continue reading” below to continue. When you’re finished reading, leave a comment to let us know what you thought about Russian Nationals, how you think the real judges did, and how you think our judges did. If you disagree,sign up to judgean event later in the year and share your thoughts!Continue reading →